These sketches are the white subcultural equivalent of a minstrel show, that while perhaps intended as a charming homage to oddballs, has in fact drummed up a sentiment best summarized as "it's about damned time someone put those weirdos in their place."

By labeling the show Portlandia, instead of Hipsterville U.S.A., it gives the erroneous impression that these are isolated phenomena and the hateable characters portrayed are somehow representational of all Portlanders.

[W]hen laughing, it's important to stop and ask yourself if you're laughing for the right reasons. And there's a good chance you aren't.

And just like that, Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein vanished into thin air. [Boise Weekly]